Truffles, not Guzzles
October 17, 2007
Six hundred people can’t be wrong: Gary knows how to throw a party.
That would be Gary Fisch. His Gary’s Wine & Marketplace (www.garyswine.com) with shops in Bernardsville and Madison, held a wine tasting Monday night at the Madison Hotel.
The number 600 had a ring that evening—the 600 guests had about 600 different wines to sample. The tasting occupied the huge main ball room plus the conservatory, two other large rooms and spilled out into the hallway.
With so much wine and so many people spread out over so many rooms, it was hard to know where to start. But we were decisive: just start at the table closest to where we went in.
It turned out to be a great choice—the table featured bottlings from Beaulieu Vineyard. We tried their 2004 Reserve Dulcet ($29.99), a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Syrah. It was heady “New World” style—big, ripe, oaky.
Of course, they call it a tasting because there’s something for all tastes. Fans of “Old World” winemaking, for instance, would love the velvety, typically Rioja vanilla of the 2003 Torre Muga ($76.99).
Looking for cheaper stuff? More than 50 wines at the tasting sell for under $10 at Gary’s shops. These include the perfectly presentable Big Tattoo brothers, a German white and a Chilean red, $8.99 each.
Not that this was the kind of party where people suck’em down. “Everybody’s walking around, tasting and asking questions,” said Gary, happy host. “It’s not a guzzle fest.”
There was plenty of fine food to accompany the wine, a sampling of what Gary has in store. We grazed on an international selection of cheeses (Parmigiano Reggiano, aged Gouda, Spanish Cabrales blue cheese), prosciutto, and D’Artagnan’s medallions of foie gras spread on small roundels of baguette.
All the eating and drinking was for a good cause: proceeds benefit Atlantic Home Care & Hospice, Gagnon Heart Hospital at Morristown Memorial and the Atlantic Neuroscience Institute at Overlook Hospital.
Recent Articles
- Best Choices, Trying Times
November 18, 2008 - The Bark House
November 17, 2008 - Quilts of Love
November 14, 2008 - Weekend Picks: Strollers and Cougars
November 13, 2008 - Turkey Talk
November 12, 2008 - Are You Boho?
November 11, 2008 - ... Archived Articles